FUN AT THE BASIN

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2127, 20 April 1914, Page 5

FUN AT THE BASIN

N.Z. NATIVES' ASSOCIATION GALA

A LIVELY AFTERNOON

Th 6 initial gala of .the newly-formod Nfejr Zealand Natives' Association, which took place on Saturday afternoon was conceived' in tho spirit of comedy, and was carried out to the accompaniment'of hearty volleys of laughter. It is notan easy-aphievement for anyone to bo genuinely and purposely funny in cold daylight and without thoso environments and carefully-planmod situations which assist tho professional merryman, 60 that the efforts of those who took part in the al fresco burlesque on Saturday afternoon richly deserved jbheir, respective pats on the back.

Procession of the Motley. The proceedings, which, were primarily planned to raise funds for the new patriotio body were- highly successful throughout, if one will bnt concede that "a little nonsense now' and then ie relished by tho wisest men." The keynote to the gala was sounded in the grotesquely humorous procossion,' which passed through tho streets of tho oity shortly after 2 p.m. It was a happy idea to associate the descendants of the aboriginal Natives of New Zealand with tho proceedings, and • fitting that the cavalcado should be headed by a burly Maori, with a heavily tattooed face, who, clad in his Maori rug and weilding a., feathered taiaha, moved along the busy streets with a solemn dignity that was dolightfully incongruous when compared witn the lively orew in motley which followed. Then came tho Battalion Band, the referee of the football match (who, in his breastplate and armoury and guns, resembled one of the Kelly Gang); the Maori football team, lusty young • bloods from Otaki, Hawko's Bay, Ponrua, and Picton,. bedecked in Native rugs and feathers; a doublo quartet of pretty Maori girl poi dancers in shimmery white; the ambulance, and half a dozen lorries and motors, laden with laughing youngsters, New Zealand 1 natives every ono of them. Tho fun on route was capitally sustained by the pakeha footballers, who, as teddy bears, negroes, clowns, Hindus, dogs, monkeys, etc., indulged in a variety of amueing antics. The black "teddy" was full of resource. His favourite device was. to steal up to children quietly and then act as bogy-, man with much agility and gusto. Tub delight of tho kiddies was not unmixed with terror, but it , was all very funay

Hakas and Pol oancos. At tho Basins Reserve, where there vrero about 2600 people, tho enteitainmonc never flagged. As soon as tl>e "talent" arrived, tho centre of tho ground was cleared, and a dozen Otakl Maoris contributed a spirited haka in 'good style, which was duly kinematographed for the edification of those in distant parts., The backing to the haka dances was a'huge Union Jack, which 6trucktho correct patriotic note. Then camo tripping on to the sward tho fascinating poi dancers, fourteen Maori niaidons, who united skill with a natural grace of action and.' movement. Theii* performance delighted tho big crowd, and the gusts of applause elicited a second poi dance (with two poi), and to tho delight of all the picturesque canoe poi, in which the girls sing in harmony as they swing rhythmically as though paddling thoir own canoes. The orchestra—an accordeon— deserves commendation v for .the,-;splendid..tampo ho kept'-throughout''the dances.'- '..

WIW Wost .Football. ' ' After :tfio dances' came-'tho' burlesque football match,'which was one of the rilost comical interludes witnessed in the open,for a_ long time in Wellington. The Maoris played in their rugs, and the pakohas in gay wotley. The referee, after soeing that his six-shoot-ers wero charged in every chamber, ■ was about to Wow the whistle for the kick-off when tho Maori captain entered a vigorous protest something which was not at once intelligible to the crowd. It transpired l that the pakehas m order to make their defenoe imprepnablo, had tied a ferooious-looking bulldog to the goal-post—and given it .lots of rope, The referee, was quite a reasonable person—ho said he was not game to remove the dog himself, but suggested that the goalkeeper for tho Maoris be allowed to carry a pun. This was agreed to, A tiny Red Indian tho ball In position, a lady atftired in tho latest Parisian mode gave the oval a kick, and the game was on. Tho rules followed were a cheerful mixture of Rugby, Soccer, and League, put of deference to the referee, who only wished a fair thing from everyone. Tho troublo began when the Red Indian hegan to run for his own goal. Hβ was_ shot by the referee, who then blew his whistle to exolain that tho man was "off-side." , Tho ambulance was summoned, the body removed, and play was resumed , . That was only one of many such "Wild West"_ rulines. On one occasion it seemed inevitable that a pakelia niuet, score, whon suddenly the report of a rifle rang out, and tho player'with the ball leapt into the air and fell in a huddled mass on tho grass—the goalkeeper was true to his trust. Finally, when all his ammunition was gone the referee declared the game a draw. No one dared to challenge his dictum. During an intermission tho patrons oE the grandstand were given afternoon tea,'whilst down below tho live "teddies" and other queer animals romped witli the children. On the wholo tho Now Zealand Natives' Association is to be congratulated. on tho brightness and healthy fun. which characterised its initial gala. It will probably bo made an annual event. A special word of ■commendation is due to Mr. G'has. M'lntyre, the secretary, and the members of the committee, who worked so hard to make tho affair tho success it was. Among those present was tho Hon. A. L. Herdman, president of the association.